A 33-year-old Alta Vista man was arrested following a search that authorities say uncovered suspected fentanyl, synthetic stimulants, firearms and a motorcycle believed to have been stolen.
The Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and Kansas Department of Corrections special agents conducted a search Aug. 27 at Gabriel Nurl Burch’s residence in the 800 block of Park Street in Alta Vista. Authorities said the investigation began after receiving information about suspected drug activity at the residence.
During the search, authorities reported finding suspected fentanyl and synthetic stimulants commonly known as bath salts, drug paraphernalia and items associated with the weighing, packaging and distribution of narcotics. Multiple firearms were also recovered, including a sawed-off shotgun.
Authorities also located a motorcycle believed to have been stolen about 10 years ago in Sedgwick County.
Burch faces multiple allegations, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a public nuisance, distribution or possession with intent to distribute fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school, criminal use of weapons, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of stolen property.
The sheriff’s office said Burch was convicted of aggravated battery and kidnapping in Riley County in 2017. He was paroled in November 2025 but returned to prison after violating his parole. Burch was released again in March and designated by KDOC as a high-risk violent offender, placed on GPS monitoring and prohibited from entering Riley County.
Burch was being held in the Wabaunsee County Jail without bond.
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